PSG’s Champions League win was thrilling. It was still sportswashing | Jonathan Wilson

After years as a directionless collection of celebrity footballers, PSG are a true team now. But they still represent one of the sport’s darkest trends

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Paris Saint-Germain’s success in the Champions League final on Saturday was a victory for youth and adventure. It was a victory for a team built with a coherent vision, and a rebuke to those who believe the game is just about collecting the biggest names. It was a victory for Luis Enrique, a very fine coach who has suffered dreadful personal tragedy. It was a victory for forward-thinking, progressive, fluent football.

But it was also a victory for sportswashing.

June 2, 2025

Well, Sale! It's the Dodgers who have the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings

Atlanta Braves' Chris Sale; Dodgers pitchers Blake Snell and Clayton Kershaw and Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan. — Clockwise from top left: Last week, Chris Sale was crowned the fastest to reach 2,500 strikeouts. Check the stats of Dodgers pitchers Blake Snell and Clayton Kershaw and Nolan Ryan for a deeper story. (Associated Press; Los Angeles Times)

When is the "fastest" something of a slow roll?

How about last week when pitcher Chris Sale was crowned the fastest to reach 2,500 career strikeouts?

Not to diminish Sale's accomplishment: It took him fewer innings (2,026) to record No. 2,500 than any other pitcher in history. But because of injuries and a reduced workload — both huge, flashing signs of the times — he didn't achieve the feat until his 16th season.

Sale was appropriately humble, telling reporters, "I appreciate it for what it is, but I try not to get too caught up in stuff like that right now."

Perhaps he realizes it took others far less time to reach the 2,500 milestone, including the top two strikeout artists of all time: Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.

Strikeouts are a single lens in viewing the substantive changes over the last 100-plus years in how pitchers are utilized, record outs and withstand the burden. But they can be an instructive one.

Catch a whiff of this: A certain Dodger currently on the injured list strikes out more batters per nine innings than any other pitcher in baseball history, which in effect is another way to express Sale's "fastest" title.

Blake Snell averages a record 11.1679 strikeouts per nine innings, edging out Sale, who is second all-time at 11.1056 among pitchers who average at least one inning per team game.

The believe-it-or-not distinction might explain why the Dodgers gave Snell a five-year, $182-million free agent contract last offseason. His wicked stuff that features a 96 mph four-seam fastball also could help explain why he's on the injured list for the eighth time in the last eight seasons, this time out since April 6 with left shoulder inflammation.

Snell is the epitome of a highly valued starter in today's game: He accumulates strikeouts at a higher rate than anyone else, gives up fewer hits than anyone else, and elicits only shrugs when someone points out that he has a grand total of one complete game in 213 career starts.

It is revealing that 13 of the top 20 pitchers on the all-time strikeout per innings list are active. The only one who didn't pitch in the 21st century is Ryan at No. 19, just ahead of another believe-it-or-not name, Lucas Giolito.

Among the 33 pitchers to average more than a strikeout per inning, the only one whose career began in the 1950s has a statue outside Dodger Stadium: Sandy Koufax.

Koufax and Snell are two of 10 Dodgers among the 33, a clue as to what the Dodgers front office values in mound performance. Several of the names are less than luminary.

The others, from bottom to top: Lance Lynn (No. 32; 9.04), Rich Hill (No. 29; 9.12), Andrew Heaney (No. 25; 9.33), Clayton Kershaw (No. 16; 9.72), Trevor Bauer (No. 15; 9.82), Pedro Martinez (No. 12; 10.04), Yu Darvish (No. 7; 10.59) and Max Scherzer (No. 5; 10.65).

Note: Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani averaged a mammoth 11.40 strikeouts per nine innings in six seasons with the Angels but hasn't pitched enough to qualify for the all-time list. He has recovered from elbow surgery and is expected to return to the mound after the All-Star break for the first time since August 2023.

Sale's accomplishment, then, is sustaining a near-record rate of strikeouts per nine innings for more than 2,000 innings, certainly worthy of note.

An equally valid definition of "fastest" to reach a strikeout milestone would be how long it took to get there. The pitcher that the 6-foot-6, left-handed Sale surpassed was his boyhood idol: Johnson, a 6-10, left-handed flamethrower who ranks second to Ryan on the career strikeout list with 4,875.

Johnson notched No. 2,500 in inning No. 2,108 — 82 more than it took Sale. But he did so in only his 11th season, five seasons "faster" than Sale.

Incidentally — and incredibly — Johnson was only halfway through his career. He retired in 2009 after 22 seasons with 4,135.1 innings and 303 wins.

Granted, Johnson was an anomaly, the only hurler ever to amass more than 200 innings and 300 strikeouts in multiple seasons well into his 30s. At ages 35-38 from 1999-2002, he averaged a staggering 354 strikeouts and 258 innings a season.

The only comparable hurler was Ryan (record strikeout total: 5,714), who also reached No. 2,500 in his 11th season, the milestone whiff coming in inning No. 2,287 when he struck out Andre Thornton of Cleveland while pitching for the Angels in 1978.

Ryan's longevity was even more impressive than Johnson's: 27 seasons from 1966-93, 5,386 innings and 324 wins. No current pitcher will come close to those numbers.

On the other end of the strikeout spectrum are Hall of Fame pitchers from more than 100 years ago who logged vast numbers of innings while striking out far fewer batters per inning. Velocity wasn't nearly as high or as prized as it is today and pitchers were expected to complete games they started.

Sale ranks No. 40 on the all-time strikeout list, and he next will pass Christy Mathewson, who needed a prodigious 4,788 innings to log 2,507 strikeouts from 1900-16. Mathewson is far down the list of strikeouts per nine innings, checking in at No. 689 with 4.71.

Walter Johnson, the legendary "Big Train" out of Fullerton Union High, is third all-time with 5,914 innings and ninth with 3,509 strikeouts in a career spanning 1907-27. But he averaged just 5.34 strikeouts per nine innings, ranking No. 520, a few notches ahead of the less than legendary former Dodgers swingman Elmer Dessens.

Other fabled names associated with blazing fastballs compiled surprisingly low strikeout rates as well. Bob "Rapid Robert" Feller, for example, sits at 6.07 strikeouts per nine innings.

Kershaw, meanwhile, is on the cusp of reaching a milestone that very nearly guarantees entry into the Hall of Fame: 3,000 strikeouts. The career Dodger in his 18th season has 2,974, and he's inching toward the finish line, having struck out six in three abbreviated starts since coming off the injured list two weeks ago.

Although Kershaw has consistently downplayed the significance of reaching 3,000, he told Tyler Kepner of the Athletic last week that it's on his mind.

“Yeah, I’d be lying if I didn’t want to do it,” Kershaw said. “But I think the coolest part is the company you get to be a part of. You know what I mean? There’s just some really special names.”

They include, of course, Ryan and Johnson. Nineteen pitchers have reached the milestone and 17 are in the Hall of Fame, with Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling falling short for reasons that had nothing to do with strikeout totals.

Kershaw is considered a Hall of Fame shoo-in, his earned-run average of 2.51 the lowest of any active pitcher that meets the innings qualification and his 212 career victories an impressive number in today's game.

Snell's candidacy falls into the "way too early to tell" category. Yes, he is the only pitcher to win a Cy Young award in each league, and his 3.18 career ERA sparkles. And, of course, striking out more batters per nine innings than anyone else in history stands out on his resume.

Yet Snell is in his 10th season and he has just 77 wins. Hall of Fame starters with the fewest MLB wins are Dizzy Dean (150) and Koufax (165), the careers of both cut short by arm injuries.

Snell's career should be far from over. He's only 32 and his lucrative Dodgers contract doesn't expire until after the 2029 season. But to have a shot at the Hall, Snell must fulfill the promise that prompted the Dodgers to sign him.

The only active pitchers besides Kershaw considered Hall of Fame locks are Justin Verlander and Scherzer, both hard throwers with the requisite strikeout totals.

Verlander, 42, has 3,457 strikeouts while averaging 8.98 per nine innings. He also has 262 wins — 46 more than Scherzer and 50 more than Kershaw, the next two active pitchers on the all-time list. No one else is close to 200.

Scherzer ranks fifth all-time in strikeouts per nine innings at 10.65, trailing only Snell, Sale, Robby Ray (another believe-it-or-not name) and Jacob DeGrom. Scherzer's career total of 3,408 ranks 11th, just behind Verlander.

Gerrit Cole, 34, appeared on a Hall of Fame track before undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. He won't pitch again until early next season, putting a long pause on his current totals of 153 wins, 2,251 strikeouts and 10.37 strikeouts per nine innings.

The only recently retired starter who might be rehearsing his Hall induction speech is another former Dodger, Zack Greinke, who posted 225 wins and 2,979 strikeouts along with a 3.49 ERA before retiring in 2024 after 20 seasons.

What about Sale, whose rebound from four years of debilitating injuries to win a Cy Young award with the Atlanta Braves was one of baseball's best stories of 2024? He finished in the top five of Cy Young voting seven years in a row from 2012-2018, and his 3.04 career ERA is lower than any active starter besides Kershaw and DeGrom.

“He’s kind of doing Hall of Fame stuff,” Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters. “That guy is probably as big a baseball fan as anybody, just the history of the game and the competition. He's a ballplayer, and it's really cool to watch.”

Yet Sale has only 141 wins, and that perceived blemish could be an interesting litmus test for Hall voters who profess to recognize that wins are much more difficult to accumulate now that teams routinely limit starters to six or fewer innings.

Strikeouts are king these days, and the Dodgers clearly know it.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

June 2, 2025

Ottawa Senators Sign Defenceman Tyler Kleven To Two-Year Contract Extension

The TK-O-Train won't be leaving town anytime soon.

The Senators announced on Monday that defenceman Tyler Kleven has signed a two-year contract extension. It carries a $1.6 million average annual value through the 2026-27 season. The 23-year-old became a full-time NHL player this season, appearing in 79 regular season games and all six of Ottawa’s playoff matchups.

"Tyler’s game elevated as our season progressed,” president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios in a team release. “He proved to be a reliable defenceman for us during the playoffs and we expect his game will continue to mature and develop.”

Kleven was scheduled to become an RFA on July 1st. He's the second RFA defenceman that Staios has signed this off-season. He inked Nik Matinpalo to a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $875,000 a season.

More details and analysis on this breaking story coming shortly here at The Hockey News Ottawa.

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June 2, 2025

Ainge and change: Rare front office exit symbolic of Celtics' summer in flux

Ainge and change: Rare front office exit symbolic of Celtics' summer in flux originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

For the first time in 22 years, the Boston Celtics don’t have at least one member of the Ainge family on their front office staff.

Austin Ainge, who spent the past 17 seasons within the Celtics organization, morphing from the first head coach of the Maine Red Claws of the then-NBA Development League to Boston’s director of player personnel to one of the team’s assistant general managers — logging plenty of international miles scouting overseas along the way — is joining his father, Danny, on the Utah Jazz.

The younger Ainge will serve as the Jazz’s new president of basketball operations. Danny Ainge spent 19 seasons as the Celtics’ president of basketball operations before stepping down in 2021. He now serves as CEO of basketball operations for Utah.

Even when the elder Ainge departed after the 2020-21 season, the Celtics maintained a high level of front-office continuity around Brad Stevens, who elevated from coach to general manager that summer. Assistant GMs Mike Zarren (2003), Austin Ainge (2011), and Dave Lewin (2012) had all been in the organization since before Stevens’ arrival.

Ainge’s departure occurs as the Celtics prepare for an ownership transition, with Bill Chisholm waiting for final NBA approval on his $6.1 billion purchase. Change has been rare within the Celtics organization, but things will feel undeniably different after this summer. That includes potential changes to the core of this team, as Stevens’ front-office staff must charter an offseason path through murky waters.

Austin Ainge worked hard to distinguish himself on a staff helmed by his father. We can’t remember the last draft workout that didn’t feature Austin at the forefront, handling the “I can’t say too much” media responsibilities when reporters pried him for clues.

It was clear how much pride Danny Ainge took in the way his son carved out his own role in Boston, and all the time they got to share together on work duties.

“[Austin has] been around the game his whole life,” Danny Ainge told us in 2015. “Austin was in my coaches’ meetings, Austin was on the court, he was in my huddles. He was tugging on my pant leg telling me what to do when I was a head coach in Phoenix. He’s been around it his whole life. Him and I have talked basketball — I’ve talked more basketball with him than anybody else.”

Now father and son are reunited in Utah. Austin Ainge gets to put his stamp on Utah’s rebuilding process — one that features some familiar faces, not just with his father, but also with former Celtics assistant Will Hardy as head coach of the Jazz.

But seeing Boston’s brain trust, which includes vice president of team operations and organization growth Allison Feaster, around TD Garden and on the road will simply feel different without Austin’s presence. We’ll miss the tales of his latest international odyssey and the elite list of golf courses he navigated in his travels.

The lingering question for Boston is whether the team will infuse new blood in a front office role. The Celtics were rumored to be interested in outside possibilities after Stevens’ elevation in 2021 but mainly stayed in-house while adding Feaster, who first joined the team during Danny Ainge’s tenure.

At the very least, we need to know who will be tracking the records on the so-called “Boston Marathon,” where draft prospects engage in a three-minute, full-court sprint drills after their pre-draft workouts. Austin Ainge had to be sick of us asking about who held the records each year.

In Ainge, the Celtics are losing a whole bunch of institutional knowledge and someone who understood the vision of the team. Let’s see if the addition of another Ainge in Utah leads to any additional Celtics-Jazz trade chatter as both teams figure out their path forward.

June 2, 2025

NHL Veteran Jesper Fast Retires From Pro Hockey At 33

Jesper Fast announced his retirement from professional hockey on Monday.

The 33-year-old Carolina Hurricanes right winger suffered a neck injury in the final game of the 2023-24 regular season, missed the playoffs and underwent neck surgery that August. He didn't play in the 2024-25 season.

"I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world," Fast said in a statement the Hurricanes released. "I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream.

"I'd also like to thank Nassjo HC and HV71, organizations that played a vital role in my development into an NHL player."

Jesper Fast (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

Although Fast was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2010 NHL draft, the 157th overall pick ranks 24th overall in career scoring from that draft class, with 248 points in 703 games, and 24th in most goals, with 91.

He broke into the NHL with the Rangers in 2013-14, playing 11 games in the regular season but recording his first point in three playoff games. His first career goal came in November 2014 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fast split the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns between the Rangers and their AHL affiliate, but he appeared in 19 games during the Blueshirts' run to the Stanley Cup final in 2015, putting up three goals and six points. He became an NHL full-timer in 2015-16, recording 30 points in 79 games. He bested that total in two of his 11 career seasons, with 33 points in 2017-18 and 34 points in 2021-22.

After logging a career-high 16:36 average ice time in 2019-20, Fast left the Rangers to sign a three-year contract worth $2 million annually with the Hurricanes. He re-signed with Carolina for two years in 2023.

In the 2023 post-season, Fast not only scored the overtime-winner in Game 2 of the first round against the New York Islanders but also the series-clincher against the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 of the second round.

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June 2, 2025

Yankees' Jasson Dominguez, Luke Weaver to have injuries evaluated on Monday

The Yankees were able to avoid a sweep with a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night, but the team now heads back to the Bronx with a couple of injuries to keep an eye on.

Outfielder Jasson Dominguez suffered a left thumb contusion while stealing a base in the fifth inning, and closer Luke Weaver wasn’t available to pitch due to hamstring discomfort.

Both players will be evaluated on Monday during the Yankees’ off day.

Dominguez told reporters after the game that there’s “not much concern” with his thumb, saying he was already feeling better.

The outfielder has played well in his first full season in the big leagues, slashing .247/.346/.420 with six home runs and 25 RBI, posting a 117 OPS+.

As for Weaver, manager Aaron Boone planned to use him in the ninth inning on Sunday night, but Weaver felt something was off while he was warming up in the bullpen.

“He felt something when he had finished warming up, and then when he went to stretch, he felt something in the middle of his hammy,” Boone said, via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “So we had to make a switch on the fly there. We’re hoping it’s not too serious.”

The Yankees ended up tacking on an insurance run to make it a four-run lead, and lefty Tim Hill was able to close things out.

Weaver has been lights-out at the back end of the Yankees’ bullpen this season, pitching to a miniscule 1.05 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 25.1 innings, notching eight saves.

June 2, 2025

Minnesota Timberwolves 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season recap: Anthony Edwards shines

While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams.

In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June.

Next up in the season review series are the Minnesota Timberwolves, who reached the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. With the front office's decision to trade Karl-Anthony Towns just before training camp, this season's group had a far different look, especially in the frontcourt. With the Western Conference being a battle of attrition throughout the season, Minnesota entered the playoffs as the 6-seed, but Chris Finch's team did not lose any sleep over that. Anthony Edwards led the way as the Timberwolves dispatched the Lakers and Warriors before falling to Oklahoma City.

Minnesota Timberwolves 2024-2025 Season Recap

Record: 49-33 (6th, West)

Offensive Rating: 115.7 (8th)

Defensive Rating: 110.8 (6th)

Net Rating: 4.9 (4th)

Pace: 97.95 (25th)

2025 NBA Draft Picks: 17, 31

While the way Minnesota's season concluded was disappointing, as they fell to the Thunder in five games, returning to the conference finals represents success. For the first time in over two decades, the Timberwolves have won 49 games or more in consecutive seasons, and the franchise has its unquestioned cornerstone in Anthony Edwards. After an inconsistent start to the season, Minnesota would get going in March, ripping off an eight-game win streak and going 17-4 in their last 21 games.

However, they go into the offseason with some significant questions to answer thanks to the NBA's ever-changing finances. Julius Randle and Naz Reid have player options for next season that, if not picked up, will make them unrestricted free agents. Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be an unrestricted free agent, leaving the new ownership group (yes, that saga concluded during the season) to decide how much money it wants to spend to keep the rotation intact. And if a few of those key players depart, how much will the team be willing to compensate to account for those exits?

Fantasy Standout: Anthony Edwards

Edwards was expected to be Minnesota's best fantasy option, especially after the Towns trade, and he met the expectations. Appearing in 79 games for the third straight season, he averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks and 4.1 three-pointers, shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 83.7 percent from the foul line. Finishing with a career-high scoring average, Edwards scored 30 points or more in 26 games, including his 53-point effort in a January 4 loss to the Pistons.

Career-high 53 PTS for Anthony Edwards

His best fantasy game of the season: 57.2 FPTspic.twitter.com/lIFsi6YEcR
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) January 5, 2025

Early in the season, much was made of Edwards' increased three-point volume, with the attempts per game increasing from 6.7 in 2023-24 to 10.3 this season. However, he made a career-best 39.5 percent of his attempts, increasing his percentage by nearly four points. While Edwards did not reach his Yahoo! ADP (10), he finished the regular season as a top-20 player in eight- and nine-cat formats. Regarding total value, he was a top-10 player due to his availability. Even with the various maladies players can pick up throughout a season, fantasy managers can safely assume that Edwards is going to play as long as he isn't dealing with a serious issue. That makes him incredibly valuable in fantasy basketball, and the 23-year-old has yet to reach his ceiling.

Fantasy Revelation: Jaden McDaniels

Entering the season with a Yahoo! ADP of 142, McDaniels was not expected to be a difference-maker by many fantasy managers. However, he would prove to be an excellent option to have rostered, especially among those who needed reliable defensive production and solid percentages. For the first time in his NBA career, McDaniels played in all 82 regular-season games, and he finished with career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Averaging 31.9 minutes, he accounted for 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers per game, shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 81.3 percent from the foul line.

While McDaniels only shot 33.0 percent from three, his lowest mark since the 2021-22 campaign, that is not a scoring category in most fantasy leagues. He finished as a top-100 player in eight-cat formats and nearly cracked the top-75 in nine-cat formats. While this was his first season playing all 82 games, the availability is not a fluke, as McDaniels has played in 70 games or more in four consecutive seasons. After scoring 20 points or more on seven occasions during the 2023-24 campaign, Jaden had 12 such games this season, including a career-high 30 in a February 8 win over the Trail Blazers. While the production from this season may prompt some to consider using a middle-round pick on McDaniels next fall, he's a player many will be able to get around pick 100, if not slightly later. However, that could change if the Timberwolves lose multiple free agents this summer.

Fantasy Disappointment: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Alexander-Walker boasted a similar Yahoo! ADP to McDaniels, but he failed to live up to the expectations. Playing all 82 games, he averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers in 25.3 minutes. Shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 78.0 percent from the foul line, Alexander-Walker finished the regular season ranked outside the top-200 in eight- and nine-cat formats. However, his performances when allowed to start and during Minnesota's run to the conference finals likely raised NAW's profile as he heads for unrestricted free agency this summer.

In 10 starts, he averaged 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.6 three-pointers in 33.6 minutes, shooting 41.0 percent from the field and 93.3 percent from the foul line. Alexander-Walker also had six games in which he scored 10 points or more during the playoffs, including a 23-point effort in Minnesota's Game 4 loss to Oklahoma City. While it has been reported that the Timberwolves want to bring NAW back, how much would it cost? And what would his role be if that were to happen? With Mike Conley not getting any younger, could there be a scenario in which Alexander-Walker starts if he re-signs? And there will likely be other teams interested in his services, with Orlando reportedly being a team to watch. While Alexander-Walker's fantasy season was a disappointment, he likely earned himself a nice payday in free agency.

Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads

Rudy Gobert

With Towns no longer in the equation, Gobert was the lone seven-footer in the Timberwolves' starting lineup this season. However, those who hoped for a boost to his fantasy value were likely let down, as the "Stifle Tower" finished the regular season ranked outside the top-50 in eight- and nine-cat formats. Making 72 appearances, Gobert averaged 12.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.4 blocks in 33.2 minutes. His percentages from the field (66.9) and the foul line (67.4) were the best for Rudy since arriving in Minnesota, but his scoring and rebounding output decreased noticeably, as did the blocked shots.

Gobert's scoring average was the lowest for him since the 2015-16 campaign, while the rebounding average was the lowest it has been since 2017-18. A sixth-round player in nine-cat formats, Rudy was a seventh-round player in eight-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. Set to turn 33 at the end of June, it's fair to question if Gobert's best days regarding fantasy value are in the rearview mirror. That said, he can still provide decent value to standard league managers; he just isn't at the point where he should be selected with a top-50 pick.

Julius Randle

After five seasons and three All-Star Game selections while with the Knicks, Randle was sent to Minneapolis as part of the Towns trade just days before training camp began. An offensive focal point in New York, Randle absorbed a hit playing alongside Anthony Edwards. His usage dropped nearly five percentage points, and in 69 games he averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.6 three-pointers while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 80.6 percent from the foul line.

However, while his scoring, rebounding and assist averages decreased, so did Randle's turnovers, while the percentages increased. Playing in a lineup that included Edwards and Conley resulted in better shots for Randle. After the expected adjustment period, there appeared to be fewer moments in which the ball "stuck" in his hands. As evidenced by his play during the conference finals, there is still room for growth. But where will that take place? Randle can opt out of the final season of his contract and hit free agency, but it isn't as if there's a surplus of teams with cap space. If he remains in Minnesota, Randle is capable of providing middle-round value in standard leagues, with the turnovers making him a superior option for eight-cat formats and managers willing to punt that category.

Julius Randle x Kevin Garnett

The only players in Wolves history to record a triple double in a Playoff game pic.twitter.com/URKG3SX1nW
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) May 11, 2025

Naz Reid

Reid is another Timberwolves player who faces an interesting decision, as he has a player option worth approximately $15 million. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the expectation around the league is that he will opt out. The 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year has been incredibly valuable to the Timberwolves, despite his defensive flaws. And Reid was more productive this season than last, increasing his averages in points (14.2), rebounds (6.0), assists (2.3) and three-pointers (2.2) while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 77.6 percent from the foul line.

However, that did not translate into consistently reliable fantasy value, with Reid finishing the regular season as an eighth-round player in nine-cat formats and a ninth-round player in eight-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. He made 17 starts during the regular season, averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2.8 three-pointers in 35.4 minutes. A return to Minnesota will likely keep Reid in a reserve role, with him being most valuable to fantasy managers on nights when Gobert cannot play due to injury.

Donte DiVincenzo

Like Randle, DiVincenzo was part of the stunning Towns trade just before training camps opened. Coming off of his best season as a professional, he struggled early, shooting 35.4 percent from the field and averaging 8.9 points per game in Minnesota's first 10 games. DiVincenzo would get going just before Christmas, but a grade 3 sprain of his left big toe sidelined the Timberwolves guard for more than a month. His run of 12 straight games in double figures coincided with Minnesota going 9-3, with the Timberwolves ultimately doing enough to earn the 6-seed in the West and avoid the Play-In tournament.

In 62 games, DiVincenzo averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.8 three-pointers in 25.9 minutes, shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 77.8 percent from the foul line. As expected, he finished the regular season ranked outside the top-100 in eight- and nine-cat formats, providing 10th-round value in the former. While eligible for point guard, shooting guard and small forward in Yahoo! leagues, DiVincenzo's status as a bench scorer lowered his fantasy ceiling after an excellent 2023-24 season in New York. How valuable he is next season will depend on what happens with Alexander-Walker, not to mention the development of 2024 first-round picks Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr.

Mike Conley

While Conley continued to provide the Timberwolves with valuable leadership, his numbers took a hit in 2024-25. Making 71 appearances, the 37-year-old point guard accounted for 8.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in 24.7 minutes. Conley's scoring average was the lowest of his career, and the assists were the lowest for him since his penultimate season in Memphis (2017-18). Conley being a late-round option in standard leagues was expected, but he finished the regular season ranked outside the top-150 in eight-cat formats, and just inside that threshold in nine-cat formats.

With Conley turning 38 just before the start of next season and the veteran guard coming off a season in which he failed to average 25 minutes per night, it's fair to wonder if his role in 2025-26 will be significant enough to merit being rostered in standard leagues. And that doesn't even touch on Dillingham's potential development, Alexander-Walker's free agency, or Anthony Edwards' already sky-high usage potentially increasing even more. For the first time in years, Conley will likely go into training camp as a player who does not have to be selected in standard league drafts.

Restricted Free Agents: Jesse Edwards, Bones Hyland, Tristen Newton

Unrestricted Free Agents: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Joe Ingles

Player Option: Julius Randle, Naz Reid

Team Option: Luka Garza, Josh Minott

June 2, 2025June 3, 2025

Mets at Dodgers: How to watch on SNY on June 3, 2025

The Mets continue a four-game series with the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Tuesday at 10:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

Juan Soto has reached base nine times in his last 17 plate appearances, including home runs on Saturday and Sunday and a double on Monday
Francisco Lindor has eight hits in his last 16 at-bats, and has smacked four home runs in his last four games
Pete Alonso has reached base in nine consecutive games, and has hit three home runs during that span
Ronny Mauricio is expected to join the Mets in Los Angeles ahead of Tuesday's game

METS	DODGERS
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June 2, 2025

Flyers would probably love if Barkov-like prospect is available at No. 6

Flyers would probably love if Barkov-like prospect is available at No. 6 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.

Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.

“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”

So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.

“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said last Tuesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”

The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and either No. 31 or 32 (Oilers trade).

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Anton Frondell

Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 198
Shoots: Left
Team: Djurgarden

Scouting report

The 18-year-old Swede is one of the better players in the draft and arguably the second-best at his position.

When it comes to talent down the middle in this class, Michael Misa leads the charge as a 134-point prospect and the consensus No. 2 overall pick. Then, Frondell could be next among the pivots.

“I think Michael Misa and Anton Frondell have kind of, in my view, separated themselves,” Button, a former NHL GM and scout, said. “After that, the next group of centers, I think they’re all in a similar group.”

Frondell possesses NHL size and an excellent shot. He reads the ice well and can do a little bit of everything. As the third-ranked player in the draft on Button’s list, Frondell has some qualities similar to Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers’ center who just won his third Selke Trophy.

“Now, ‘Sasha’ Barkov is elite,” Button said. “Style of game, type of player; I’m not going to tell you he’s ‘Sasha’ Barkov, but that’s the type of game that Anton plays. He’s just what I would call a complete, two-way player. He can play heavy, he can play skilled, he can play fast, he can play defense, he can play offense. Much like Barkov, Barkov’s never going to be a 100-point player, but he’s an incredibly valuable player.”

Playing against men in HockeyAllsvenskan, a pro league a tier below the SHL, Frondell put up 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) and a plus-11 rating over 29 games for Djurgarden. He did so in just 12:13 minutes per game.

Frondell is the top-ranked international skater by NHL Central Scouting, but EliteProspects.com has him as the 12th overall player in the draft.

If there’s concern, it’s that Frondell might not be ultra dynamic or have the highest ceiling. He also dealt with some leg injuries this season.

“Once he got up and running,” Button said, “he really showed that he can have a real impact.”

Anton Frondell — *(Michael Miller/Getty Images)*

Fit with Flyers

Given that center is one of their biggest organizational needs, Frondell should be appealing to the Flyers. While there’s debate about his ceiling, there doesn’t seem to be a real low floor. There’s clear top-six potential, he can play the wing and he has all-situation strengths.

“He’s so smart,” Button said. “He just knows how to play — everywhere.”

With his size and shot, Frondell could provide the Flyers a nice balance down the middle in the future. Jett Luchanko, the club’s first-rounder from last summer, is a speed-driven, pass-first center.

The Flyers should have a solid read on Frondell. They evaluate Sweden heavily, led by their director of European scouting Joakim Grundberg.

Last summer, the Flyers drafted Swedish center Jack Berglund in the second round and signed two forwards out of the SHL. They also selected Swedish defenseman Emil Andrae in the second round of the 2020 draft.

More targets

• Hagens is ‘Matt Duchene type of player’ who could be on Flyers’ radar at No. 6

June 2, 2025

Mets at Dodgers: 5 things to watch and series predictions | June 2-5

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Dodgers play a four-game series in Los Angeles starting on Monday at 10:10 p.m. on PIX11.

5 things to watch

The Mets' big bats are heating up

After a collective slump for the Mets offense that included Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonsobeing in a rut at the same time, New York's three most important bats have woken up simultaneously.

Lindor has six hits in his last 11 at-bats, including three home runs.

Soto reached base seven times over the weekend, smacking homers on Saturday and Sunday.

Alonso's hot streak goes back a bit more, with the first baseman on an eight-game hitting streak -- bashing three homers during that span.

It was only a matter of time before the Mets' big three found their footing again, and their recent impact has helped offset the fact that New York still isn't getting much from Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo, or Francisco Alvarez.

Paul Blackburn and the six-man rotation

After missing the end of last season and the first two months of this one due to injury, Blackburn will return on Monday when he gets the start against Los Angeles.

Blackburn's return is especially notable since it enables the Mets to start trotting out a six-man rotation.

Speaking late last week, president of baseball operations David Stearns suggested the six-man rotation wasn't something New York would roll with for the remainder of the season. Instead, they will deploy it when needed, including during stretches where they have lots of games in a row without a day off.

What will be interesting to see is how the Mets operate once Frankie Montas (in the middle of a rehab assignment) and Sean Manaea (close to a rehab assignment are back).

If every starting pitching option remains healthy, they will soon have eight options for six (or five) spots.

Reed Garrett has been close to untouchable

The Mets' bullpen has been terrific, including a current six-week run by Edwin Diaz where he has been at his absolute best.

And Garrett has been an enormous part of the success of the relief corps, serving as one of the main bridges to Diaz while allowing the opposition to do basically nothing against him.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) celebrates with relief pitcher Reed Garrett (75) after defeating the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images

In 25.2 innings over 26 appearances, Garrett has a 0.70 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

His strikeout rate is an impressive 10.5 per nine, he is allowing a career-low 5.6 hits per nine, and has given up just one home run all year.

The Dodgers' pitching staff is badly shorthanded

The Mets will face Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, and Landon Knack during this series -- and those are four pitchers with serious talent.

But what the Dodgers are currently missing from their pitching staff is eye-popping.

Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell,Roki Sasaki, and Emmet Sheehan are all on the IL, making the current starting rotation much less vaunted.

Los Angeles' bullpen is also severely depleted right now, without Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Kirby Yates, and Evan Phillips -- with Phillips set to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.

The Dodgers are still loaded with talent, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto (who started on Sunday night against the Yankees), but they are not anywhere close to their best right now.

Shohei Ohtani is on a torrid pace, but strikeout-prone

Ohtani, who is taking baby steps toward a return to game action on the mound, remains an offense-only weapon for now. And what a weapon he is.

Through 57 games, Ohtani is slashing .293/.390/.655. He is leading the National League in home runs (22), slugging percentage, and total bases (150), and leading the majors with 63 runs.

While Ohtani has been a menace in the box, he has been susceptible to strikeouts.

Ohtani has already fanned 66 times this season -- including 15 times in his last 10 games.

He is on pace to strike out 181 times, which would be his highest total since 2021 with the Angels.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Juan Soto

Soto looks locked in for the first time all year.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

David Peterson

Peterson has been especially effective lately, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts.

Which Dodgers player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Freddie Freeman

Isn't he always?

June 2, 2025

Daria Kasatkina bows out at French Open with defeat to familiar foe Mirra Andreeva

World No 6 eases to 6-3, 7-5 win in 94 minutes at Roland Garros
Former Russian’s first grand slam as Australian ends in fourth-round loss

Daria Kasatkina’s first grand slam as an Australian is over, ended at the French Open by her teenage phenomenon friend Mirra Andreeva.

Two months since being granted permanent residency, Kasatkina’s hopes of becoming the first Australian woman to reach the quarter-finals since Ash Barty’s triumphant year of 2019 finally unravelled 6-3 7-5 at the hands of the exceptional Russian-born 18-year-old.

June 2, 2025

Ducks Potential Free Agent Fits: Top of the Lineup Point Producer

The Anaheim Ducks head into the 2025 offseason with $38.69 million in cap space and need to spend $13.79 million to reach the cap floor. Ownership has given general manager Pat Verbeek a mandate to push for the playoffs in 2025-26 and has given him the green light to spend to the cap ceiling, if it’s deemed necessary to achieve that goal.

Barring extensions signed before July 1, the 2025 free agent class will consist of one franchise-altering superstar and a long list of quality players just beneath at every position who could provide varying degrees of their personal brand and impact to a team’s depth chart.

The Ducks currently have 16 players under contract for the 2025-26 season, with five restricted free agents under team control.

'I Do Wonder if Anaheim Takes a Shot at This': How the Anaheim Ducks Fit as a Possible Destination for Jonathan Toews Comeback

Victory+ Founder on Ducks, Stars & More

They were a team near the bottom of the league in most traditional and underlying statistical categories in 2024-25 and could use upgrades at several positions within their lineup. Verbeek has stated his priority to add goal scoring, and recently hired head coach Joel Quenneville has traditionally valued puck possession.

Three spots in the lineup the Ducks could look to address in free agency are a top-of-the-lineup producing forward, a two-way middle-six center, and a mobile defensive defenseman.

With how the Ducks roster is constructed and the brand of hockey they’re hoping to ice on a nightly basis, who are the best fits on the free agent market?

Top of the Lineup Producer

Verbeek stated during his end-of-the-year media availability that the area the Ducks need to improve the most is goal scoring. In the 2024-25 season, the Ducks ranked 30th in the NHL in terms of goals scored per game (2.65), 21st in shots on goal per game (27.7), and 32nd in power play percentage (11.8%).

“Well, I think when you look at the roster on a whole, I think we need to score more goals,” Verbeek said. “Ultimately, we didn't score enough goals, and certainly that became a contributing factor. What was interesting (was) when we scored three or more goals, we virtually won all the games. We were almost undefeated when scoring three or more goals. That is going to be a goal that we're looking to hit by being more offensive.”

The Ducks have a blend of supremely talented young players and insulating veterans, but one more offensive driver could be the key to unlock the full potential of the forward group.

All contract projections provided by AFP Analytics

Mitch Marner

Contract Projection: 7 years, $12,952,528 AAV

Marner (28) is the ultimate prize in the 2025 free agency class, should he hit market. He is the type of franchise-changing forward that can typically only be acquired via the NHL Draft or by parting with significant assets via trade.

The Anaheim Ducks' Pitch to Mitch Marner in Free Agency

He is a consistent driver of offense who produces at a 100-point pace year in and year out and has been brilliant defensively. He had been the most commonly deployed penalty killing forward on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ roster over the past half-decade, even earning a spot as a Selke Trophy finalist in 2023.

He is potentially the most scrutinized player in the NHL and could benefit from playing in a lower-profile market such as Anaheim. The possibility of slotting Marner into a top line next to Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier is as tantalizing an option as any, and the trio could become a dominant line for the foreseeable future, on both sides of the puck and in all three zones.

A $13 million AAV would make Marner the highest-paid winger in the NHL, but he’s the kind of player who rarely becomes available. With the amount of cap space the Ducks have, and if they are interested in adding him, he’s the kind of player a team wouldn’t regret offering what it took to get him to put pen to paper.

Nikolaj Ehlers

Contract Projection: 6 years, $8,106,756 AAV

Despite inconsistent deployment and a lack of top power play minutes, Ehlers (29) has consistently produced at a 65-point pace during his career with the Winnipeg Jets. He’s a speedy winger who oozes game-breaking skill and can create his own instant offense.

Ehlers has had his bouts with the injury bug in the past. He missed 13 games in 2024-25, 37 games in 2022-23, and 20 games in 2021-22. When healthy, his impact is undeniable and could represent the brand of puck-possession, speed-driven hockey that Quenneville helped usher in over 15 years ago with the Blackhawks as they built their dynasty.

Ehlers could seamlessly fit anywhere within the Ducks' top six, but slotting him on the wing of a player like Mason McTavish could accentuate the best in both of their games. Ehlers could create and operate freely in the open space provided by McTavish’s small area battling ability, and McTavish could bury opportunities Ehlers creates by pushing defenders toward their goal line with his speed.

Brock Boeser

Contract Projection: 6 years, $8,459,390 AAV

It is often said that for a player in the NHL, there’s one component that’s the most difficult above all others: scoring goals. Boeser (28) is exceptional at exactly one thing: scoring goals. When healthy, he has the capability to change the complexion of an individual game in the blink of an eye with a tremendous release.

He can score from distance, and he can score in tight. He can change the angle of his shot on the rush, and he has a knack for finding soft ice away from the puck.

Throughout his career with the Vancouver Canucks, he has averaged 30 goals and 64 points per 82 games, including 11 goals on the power play. Production in Boeser’s career has yo-yoed on a year-to-year basis, with 2024-25 being a relative down year, as he only tallied 50 points (25-25=50) in 75 games. However, he is a year removed from a career year in 2023-24 that saw him produce 73 points (40-33=73) in 81 games and add 12 points (7-5=12) in 12 playoff games.

It’s safe to say that aside from pure goal scoring, Boeser displays several traits that can be considered NHL-average: skating, puck handling, vision, etc. The biggest knock on his game is that when the pucks aren’t finding the backs of nets, he doesn’t impact play with a meaningful “B Game” and can disappear on the ice.

Cutter Gauthier is the only player on the Ducks roster who can match Boeser’s potential for racking up goals. Boeser also provides that dynamic from a coveted right-handed perspective. The Ducks have plenty of potential play drivers and connectors in their pipeline and on the roster that can potentially fill the gaps in Boeser’s game, so if Verbeek truly thinks the one thing they need is the exact one thing Boeser can provide at an elite level, he may deem it worth the projected hefty price tag.

Other potential fits on the free agent market: Matt Duchene, John Tavares, Brock Nelson, Patrick Kane, Ryan Donato

The Ducks could benefit from adding a proven point-producer at the top of their depth chart. The issue is that those players will always be the most expensive to acquire, and free agency often inherently proves to be an inefficient way to spend valuable cap space.

Though the Ducks have been starved for an offensive star for as long as recent memory will serve, it may not be the biggest area in need of filling this offseason. However, if Verbeek figures the juice is worth the squeeze, several potential adds would complement his current roster nicely.

6 Former Ducks Advance to 2025 Stanley Cup Final

Former Duck Jakob Silfverberg Wins Trio of Awards

Five Ducks Medal at 2025 Worlds

Dec 23, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) pursues the play against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

June 2, 2025

Every Former Red Wings Player In The Cup Final

Troy Stecher (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

The hockey community can feel small.

All of the recycled coaches and management members going around the NHL like a massively convoluted game of musical chairs can be exhausting.

However, when the team that you cheer for is the Detroit Red Wings, an original six team, there is bound to be someone who was connected to the franchise in some capacity.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final begins on Wednesday, June 4th. In honor of that commencement, here is every former Red Wings player in the Cup Final. (Spoiler alert: they all play for one team.)

Jake Walman

Jake Walman, it’s going to be difficult for Red Wings fans to forget you. The current Edmonton Oilers defender was infamously traded from the Red Wings to the San Jose Sharks for future considerations. At the same time, the Sharks received a second-round draft pick for their troubles.

As I’ve previously written about, Walman has been a great addition to the Oilers since his arrival. However, when he was in Detroit, you could see the same tools at play. Walman was a stabilizing presence for the young Moritz Seider and endeared himself to fans with his outgoing personality.

Troy Stecher

Another defender, Troy Stecher, has been an excellent piece for the Oilers during this playoff run. He was able to come in and perform at a high enough level to make the coaching staff want to play him more.

Stecher played for the Red Wings during the 2020-21 season and part of the 2021-22 season. The team wasn’t very good during that time, and he was a combined -19 over 60 games with the team.

Calvin Pickard is that guy pic.twitter.com/KuYqA1fgjt
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2025

Calvin Pickard

The Red Wings were the last NHL stop for Calvin Pickard before signing with the Oilers. He was used sparingly in the NHL – 12 games across three seasons.

Pickard came in for Stuart Skinner after the latter had a shaky start to the 2025 playoffs. Pickard went on a six-game heater, got injured, and then Skinner came back and has been lights-out.

What a world.

Mattias Janmark

Bet you couldn’t have guessed that Mattias Janmark (Mattias Janmark-Nylen) was a Red Wings draft pick. The 79th overall selection in the 2013 draft played two games for the Grand Rapids Griffins during the 2013-14 season.

The Swedish forward was traded to the Dallas Stars on March 1st of 2015, along with a second-round draft pick, for the likes of Eric Cole and a third-round pick.

With all of the former Red Wings on the Oilers, it makes it clear to this writer who Red Wings fans should cheer for during the Stanley Cup Final.

It’s a small hockey community, after all.

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June 2, 2025

Celtics player spotlight: What's next for Horford as free agency looms?

Celtics player spotlight: What's next for Horford as free agency looms? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Al Horford was among the first major free agents to choose to join the Boston Celtics when he signed a max contract with the team in the summer of 2016. He has spent a total of seven seasons with the C’s, including each of the last four.

Horford has been instrumental in helping the Celtics go from a contender in the Eastern Conference to NBA champion last season.

He turns 39 on Tuesday, and with his contract soon expiring, what does Horford’s future in Boston look like? It’s one of the most interesting questions to begin the offseason.

His teammates very much want him to come back.

“You can’t replace Al,” Celtics guard Payton Pritchard told reporters at a press conference May 17. “So, I definitely hope we can get that figured out, because just his locker room presence alone is crucial. And then having him on the court, just for all the young guys to see how he goes about his business how professional he is, he’s just a leader. We definitely need him back.”

As we continue our “Celtics Player Spotlight” series, let’s recap Horford’s 2024-25 season and analyze how he fits into Boston’s lineup for 2025-26:

2024-25 Season Recap

The Celtics have managed Horford’s minutes in recent seasons, and that process has largely worked, because he’s been pretty durable for a big man in his late 30s. Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 blocks per game, while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from 3-point range this past season. His 3-point percentage has decreased in each of the last two seasons, but he’s still a good shooter.

Horford ended up playing in 60 regular season games, and he started in nine of Boston’s 11 playoff matchups as Kristaps Porzingis battled a mystery illness.

Horford also remains a good one-on-one defender who can guard multiple positions and provide a shot-blocking presence inside. His defense in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers in March was a great example. Horford did a great job defending Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

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Horford isn’t an All-Star player anymore, but he’s very much a starting-caliber and versatile big man.

Contract details

Horford’s two-year contract (with a $9.5 million salary cap hit, per Spotrac) is set to expire, which will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Potential roles for 2025-26

Scenario 1: Horford re-signs with Celtics, remains backup center

Horford is best suited coming off the bench at this stage of his career. And if the Celtics have a healthy Kristaps Porzingis on their roster going into next season, it would make sense to have Horford be the first center off the bench.

Scenario 2: Horford re-signs with Celtics, starts at center

If Porzingis is traded in the offseason, Horford would be the best option to start at center. In this scenario, it would be beneficial for the Celtics to sign a free-agent center and/or re-sign Luke Kornet. The C’s cannot afford to have Horford be their only non-rookie center who’s capable of playing 20-plus minutes per game.

Horford actually played a little better offensively as a starter last season. He shot 37.2 percent from 3-point range in those minutes.

Scenario 3: Horford departs as free agent

Any contending team, especially one that’s close to a title but hasn’t won yet, could use a veteran like Horford who can shoot 3-pointers, defend at a high level and provide excellent leadership. Any team desperate for frontcourt depth would be wise to make a free agent pitch. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently made the case for the Knicks pursuing Horford in free agency, noting that he’d be an “unbelievable fit” for New York.

However, the last time Horford left Boston as a free agent following a disappointing playoff run was 2019 when he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a disaster, and the Sixers ended up trading Horford after only one season.

Final thoughts

Horford is still a very good player. He’s an above average 3-point shooter and a strong defender. His leadership is fantastic, and his teammates and coaches love him. He is, in many ways, the perfect veteran to have on your roster.

In addition to Horford, veteran center Luke Kornet is also able to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Celtics should try to bring back at least one of them, because if they don’t, their frontcourt depth will be pretty rough.

Bringing back Horford on a team-friendly contract would be the best-case scenario for the Celtics, who must work around the constraints of being a second-apron team.

June 2, 2025

Padres eyeing Red Sox star Jarren Duran as trade target: Report

Padres eyeing Red Sox star Jarren Duran as trade target: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Could a Boston Red Sox team that entered the 2025 season with playoff aspirations become a seller ahead of the MLB trade deadline?

While it’s still too early to make that determination, at least one of Boston’s everyday starters is already drawing interest on the trade market: The San Diego Padres have Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran on their list of trade targets, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reported Monday.

San Diego’s interest in Duran isn’t surprising; the Padres reportedly had the 28-year-old outfielder on their radar before the 2024 season, when he earned his first All-Star nod while leading Major League Baseball in doubles and triples. San Diego looks like a serious contender at 33-24 but has a weakness in left field, ranking 29th in the majors with a combined .530 OPS at the position.

The case for Boston trading Duran revolves around top prospect Roman Anthony, who has been tearing it up in Triple-A but remains in Worcester with Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu currently manning the Red Sox’ outfield.

If Boston feels it can sell high on Duran while freeing up an outfield spot for Anthony, that’s certainly a path worth considering.

What might work against a Duran-to-San Diego deal is the Padres’ lack of elite prospects. Outside 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries — the No. 3 overall prospect in MLB.com’s rankings — San Diego has just one other prospect in MLB.com’s top 50: catcher Ethan Salas (No. 29 overall). So, if the Padres are unwilling to move De Vries for Duran, it might be hard putting together a trade package that Boston would accept.

The Red Sox 3.5 games out of a wild card spot at 29-32 with Triston Casas out for the season and Alex Bregman on the injured list due to a strained quad. If they don’t show considerable improvement in June, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow should at least explore the possibility of selling ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, and Duran could be one of Boston’s most valuable assets.

From the Red Sox’ perspective, however, the Padres don’t seem like an ideal trade partner.

Mets Notes

What channel is SNY?

How can I stream the game?

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB?

How can I watch the game on the MLB App?

5 things to watch

The Mets' big bats are heating up

Paul Blackburn and the six-man rotation

Reed Garrett has been close to untouchable

The Dodgers' pitching staff is badly shorthanded

Shohei Ohtani is on a torrid pace, but strikeout-prone

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Which Dodgers player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Top of the Lineup Producer

Mitch Marner

Nikolaj Ehlers

Brock Boeser

Trending Red Wings Stories

Jake Walman

Troy Stecher

Calvin Pickard

Mattias Janmark

2024-25 Season Recap

Contract details

Potential roles for 2025-26

Final thoughts